About family violence
Male family violence occurs in the context of intimate relationships.
It is 'a pattern of coercive control that one person exercises over another in order to dominate and get his way. It is behaviour that physically harms, arouses fear, prevents a person from doing what she wants, or compels her to behave in ways she does not freely choose.'*
Family violence can occur in many different kinds of intimate relationships. For example, from one partner towards another, between partners, from a parent to a child, from an adult to an elderly relative, from an adolescent towards a parent. Most frequently however, family violence is perpetrated by men against women and children. Male family violence is an expression of gendered power; that is, the power that men — individually and collectively — have over women and children.
- Male family violence is violation
- Male family violence is power-over
- Male family violence perpetuates male power and privilege
- Unintended violence is still violence
- Male family violence causes fear
- Male family violence prevents equal and respectful relationships
- Male family violence is a barrier to dealing with other issues
Male family violence is violation
Male family violence is any form of behaviour by men, in the context of intimate relationships, which violates the right of another person to autonomy, dignity, equality and respect.
^ TOP ^Male family violence is power-over
Male family violence is behaviour that expresses men's power over another.
^ TOP ^Male family violence perpetuates male power and privilege
Men's needs, feelings and wants are given primacy over others — at individual, social and systemic levels. Male family violence perpetuates and reinforces this primacy.
^ TOP ^Unintended violence is still violence
Intention is not necessarily a defining feature of male family violence. Any behaviour that causes violation is violent or controlling, regardless of whether the man is conscious of any intention to exert power or control. Behaviour is still violent or controlling even if a man says he feels powerless himself, or is not aware that the behaviour is violent or controlling.
^ TOP ^Male family violence causes fear
Those who experience male family violence become fearful of potentially violent situations and/or of the person who uses violence. They frequently modify their own behaviour to try to prevent or cope with the violence. Experiencing male family violence makes it increasingly difficult for women and children to be themselves, and to speak and act freely in their own interests.
^ TOP ^Male family violence prevents equal and respectful relationships
Every act of violent and controlling behaviour is an act of disrespect. Men's use of violence against family members breaks trust and communication, and harms relationships.
^ TOP ^Male family violence is a barrier to dealing with other issues
Issues or problems in relationships can only be addressed when there is trust and positive communication. As such, men who use violence need to change their behaviour before they can address any problems in their relationship.
^ TOP ^* Jones, A. & Schechter, S. (1992). When Love Goes Wrong. Melbourne: HarperCollins
